Purshia tridentata

Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.

Antelope bitterbrush, Bitterbrush, Antelope brush

Synonym(s): Purshia tridentata var. tridentata

Bitterbrush or antelope brush is a gray, small-leaved shrub that usually grows 4-5 ft. but can reach 10 ft. The intricately branched prostate stems often root where they touch the ground. Cream-colored, tubular, short-lived flowers are solitary at the ends of short branches. The semi-evergreen leaves are deeply three-cleft and roll inward in scorching weather, exposing the grayish, densely hairy underside.

Bitterbrush is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).

Value to Beneficial Insects

Propagation

Description: Grows best from seeds but layering is also successful. Stratified seed should be sown while wet. Seed Collection: Seeds are ripe in mid-summer. Timing of seed collection is important to avoid seed loss. Flail branches over a container or use a vacuum collector. The papery husks must be removed before sowing. (Rodents remove the husks in nature.) Seed Treatment: Seeds need winter stratification. Stored seed can be stratified at 39 degrees for a little as two weeks. Commercially Avail: yes